Electronic lock
An
electronic lock is a
locking device which uses some form of
electronics to authenticate those accessing it, sometimes using
two-factor authentication. Electronic locks are typically considered to be more secure than conventional mechanical locks and can boast additional useful features, e.g. auditing successful and failed access attempts.
Most electronic locks use a
magnetic lock/
solenoid bolt to perform the physical component of locking. Older mechanisms can also be found which use
electric motors to move a
deadbolt. Once the authentication process is successful, the lock is released into opening.
Electronic locks offer a variety of means of authentication; those described below are not considered exhaustive.
Numerical codes, passwords and passphrases
Perhaps the most prevalent form of electronic lock is that using a numerical code for authentication; the correct code must be entered in order for the lock to deactivate. Such locks typically provide a keypad, and some feature an audible response to each press. Combination lengths are usually between 4 and 6 digits long.
A variation on this design involves the user entering the correct
password or
passphrase.
Security tokens
Another means of authenticating users is to require them to scan or "swipe" a
security token such as a
smart card or similar, or to interact a token with the lock. For example, some locks can access stored credentials on a
personal digital assistant using
infra-red data transfer methods.
Biometrics
As
biometrics become more and more prominent as a recognised means of positive identification, their use in security systems increases. Some new electronic locks take advantage of technologies such as
fingerprint scanning,
retinal scanning and iris scanning, and
voiceprint identification to authenticate users.
